Hi Nancy, the only thing I can think of is to build up the designs, by adding different layers. There are some 3D designs on Emb Lib that show you what I mean. Otherwise you could try doing a few of the same design and build them up like they do with papercrafting in Scrapbooking etc. Love and blessings Chris

Probably could try using some batting, but will possibly only work if you are doing a Redwork design.

You can certainly achieve a good part of your aim by using Puffy Foam but you do, I understand, need to consider altering the thread stitch. I believ that Embroidery Library has a technical page on the subject.